New production options for the journal publisher

Recent developments in optical character recognition make feasible new modes of journal composition and new relationships among the author journal editor, and publisher. The stages of transition to new publishing arrangements are outlined, and the system presently being developed at the University of Chicago Press is discussed. The conclusion is drawn that use of a system based on optical scanning within a journal's production department is feasible for certain journals and will yield significant savings when compared with photocomposition costs.